28 February 2015
More young people will have the chance to get into technical vocational education in Quezon province with P41.5 million worth of scholarships from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva said having a skilled workforce will contribute to the development of the province, which was seen as the new axis of growth in southern Tagalog.
The province is well-endowed with productive agricultural land that allows it to lead in coconut production as well as other crops as rice, corn, bananas, mangoes and vegetables.
"We need to develop the young men and women who would not only work in the fields, but for the various companies and industries that are sprawling in the province," Villanueva said.
On February 26, the TESDA chief attended separate activities at the Olongtao National High School in Macalelon, Quezon and at the Gumaca Diocesan Gymnasium in Barangay Rosario, Gumaca, Quezon to distribute the scholarship vouchers to an initial batch of beneficiaries.
Villanueva also witnessed the mass graduation of tech-voc finishers who have completed the training for the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Projects (GPBP) and the Special Training for Employment Program (STEP).
The scholarships will be made available through the various programs being implemented by TESDA such as STEP, GPBP, Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) and the Private Education Student Financial Assistance (PESFA).
Among the training courses being offered are on mechatronics servicing, bread and pastry production, shielded metal arc welding, electrical installation and maintenance and automotive servicing.
"There is a shortage of skilled workers for various jobs in the country and abroad. Companies are in the lookout for solution in the ranks of the skilled workforce," Villanueva said.
"We hope the young people of Quezon will avail of this opportunity to train for free and be ready to get hired," he added.
During the twin events, the audiences were treated to free services such as massage, facial, nail art, haircut and manicure, which were done by TESDA graduates.
In the Macalelon event, Villanueva was joined by TESDA provincial executives and staff, and by local officials led by Representative Aleta Suarez, Macalelon Mayor Nelson Traje, and Vice Mayor Artemio Mamburao.
The Gumaca graduation ceremony was graced by Representative Helen Tan, Gumaca Mayor Erwin Caralian, Atimonan Mayor Jose Mendoza, Lopez Mayor Isaias Ubana II, Quezon town Mayor Crispin Clacio and municipal administrator Redem Mesa. Councilor and barangay officials also attended the event.
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